After an exhausting weekend filled with nursery painting, basement renovations and yard work, all I really wanted was a mojito. Or a cold beer. *sigh* Oh, the woes of pregnancy.

Thankfully I was introduced to iced tea mojitos, or faux-jitos if you will, while on vacation in Florida a few months ago and have been recreating them ever since. At first I was a little suspect of the flavor combo but it’s a solid substitute for the real thing and a refreshing alternative to the ultra sweet, non-alcoholic cocktail options that you’re usually offered if you’re pregnant or don’t drink. I plan on keeping them in my summer beverage lineup long after the baby arrives!

Add mint leaves, sugar and lime juice to a pint glass. Use a muddler to muddle the ingredients together until mint leaves are mashed and sugar dissolves. Add ice cubes. Pour iced tea over iced cubes. Squeeze in juice from two more lime quarters and toss quarters into the glass. Add seltzer. Mix well with a stir stick or spoon. Garnish with extra mint leaves and remaining lime quarter.

NOTE: You could make them alcoholic by substituting 2 oz of white rum for 1 oz of seltzer and 1 oz of iced tea.